The molecule CF4 is a nonpolar molecule with ionic bonds a nonpolar molecule with nonpolar bonds a nonpolar molecule with polar] bonds a polar molecule with nonpolar bonds a polar molecule with polar bonds
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answer: A nonpolar molecule with polar bonds
Explanation:
Carbon tetrafluoride (CF₄) is classified as a nonpolar molecule that contains polar bonds. This classification is based on two important factors: the nature of the individual carbon-fluorine (C–F) bonds and the overall shape of the molecule.
Each C–F bond in CF₄ is considered polar because fluorine is significantly more electronegative than carbon. This electronegativity difference results in an unequal sharing of electrons, creating partial negative charges (δ⁻) on the fluorine atoms and a partial positive charge (δ⁺) on the carbon atom. This polarity within each bond establishes dipole moments that point from the carbon atom toward the fluorine atoms.
However, the molecular geometry of CF₄ plays a crucial role in determining the overall polarity of the molecule. CF₄ has a tetrahedral shape, which means that the four polar C–F bonds are symmetrically arranged around the central carbon atom. Because of this symmetrical distribution, the dipole moments of the individual bonds cancel each other out.
When dipole moments cancel due to a symmetric arrangement, the result is a nonpolar molecule, even though it contains polar bonds. This concept emphasizes the importance of molecular geometry in determining the overall polarity of a compound.
The bonds in CF₄ are not ionic because ionic bonds typically form between metals and nonmetals with a large difference in electronegativity, resulting in the transfer of electrons. Carbon and fluorine are both nonmetals, and the electrons in the C–F bonds are shared, although unequally. Therefore, the C–F bonds are classified as polar covalent, not ionic.
In conclusion, CF₄ is best described as a nonpolar molecule with polar covalent bonds, due to its symmetrical tetrahedral shape and the nature of the C–F bond.
